Railway-traffic-controlling apparatus



June 29 1926.

. S. M. LUCAS RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 2l. 1925 June 29 192'.l 1,590,839

` S. M. LUCAS lRAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed May 21, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: 4 Q 7l/l., vvw/a), Bya- -pz V* NQ: ATTORNEY Patented .lune Z9, 1926.

NTED STATES artnr risica.

SAMUEL M. LUCAS, OF vFTTTSBUItGI-, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSGNOB 'IO THE UNION SWITCI-X t SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SVISSVALE, PENNSYLVANA, .A COREOBATION' OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RAIL`vVAYTBAFFC-CONTROLLNG- APFARATUS.

Application 'filed May 21, 1925.

My invention relates to railway tramo controlling apparatus, and particularly to apparatus of the type comprising train-carried governing mechanism which -is controlled by train controlling current in the trackway. Under some circumstances it has been found desirable to apply train controlling currents of higher values to one part of a railway and of lower values to another part.

For example, in the case of a railway having steam propulsion territory and electric propulsion territory. it may be advantageous under some conditions to apply train controlling current of higher values to the trackway of the electric propulsion territory than to the trackway of the steam propulsion territory. A similar condition may eX- ist when two adjoining railways use train controlling currents of different values and a train traverses both railways. Under such conditions, means are provided on the train for changing the condition of the `train-carried governing mechanism in accordance with the changes in current values of the trackway controlling currents when the train passes from either territory into the other. Y

One feature of my invention is the provision, in combination with apparatus of this character, of means for enforcing the operation of such change-over means when the train passes from steam propulsion territory into elect-ric propulsion territory, the penalty for failure of the operation ofthe change-over means being that the train is prevented from proceeding` at full speed in the electric propulsion territory.

I will describe two forms of apparatus embodying my invention and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

Tn the accompanying drawings, Fig. l is a diagrammatic view showing one form of apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view showing a modification of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. l and also embodyingmy invention.

Similar reference'characters refer to similar parts in both of the views.

Referring first to Fig. l, the reference charactersvl and la designate the track rails of a railway over which traffic normally moves in the direction indicated by the arrow, and which railway includes steam pro- Serial No. 31,759.

pulsion territory and electric propulsion territory. The track rails are divided by insulated joints 2 into a plurality of trackl sections, of which only two sections A B and B-C are shown in the drawings. Section A-B is located in steam propulsion territory and section B-O is located in elec-V tricpropulsion territory, but it willvbe understood that in most instances each terrii 'through the two rails of the section in series. Each section is also provided with a second transformer designated by the reference character L, with a suitable exponent, for supplying local current to the rails of the section. As here shown, the secondary of each transformer L is connected to the middle points of two resistances 3 and 4, which are connected across the rails adjae cent the entrance and exit ends of thesection respectively, so that the local current supplied by each transformer L flows through the two rails of the associated section in multiple.

The primaries 59 and 61 of the transformers T and L are supplied with alternating train controlling current from a suitable source which is not shown in the drawing.

In practice, the supply of either or both.

of the train controlling currents to the track rails of each track section by the track transformers T and the local transformers L, will be controlled by trafc conditions in advance of the section. vSuch controlling means forms no part of my present invention and is omitted from the drawing for the purpose of simplification.

The steam propulsion territory is occupied by a train designated as a whole by the reference character N, which train is provided with governing mechanism controlled by the train controlling currents in the track rails. As here shown. a magnetizable core 5T is located in advance of the forward netizable core 5L provided with two pick-upv coils 6L and 7L Wliicli' are disposed in ine ductive relation vitli tlie t vo tre-.ck rails 1 and 1, respectively.

The forward pick-up coils (3T and TT- rfliz I Will term tl e tracl7 coils are included in a circuit BT, Wliicli circu passes from tlie lovrer coil 7T, tlirougli Wires 48 and 9,

contact 10--10n on a change-over switch Wire 11, grid 12 of vacuum tube amplilier VT, filament 13 ci" the saine amplifier. wire 14, rfilament 13 of a vacuum tube amplilier VL, Wire 15, resistanceV 16. Wires 17 and 18,

A vention and omitted to simpl The two coils 6T and connected in this circuit that tlie alternatcoil 7L and Wire Y With a plate circuit -which passes upper coil'T, Wire 19, to the lower coil 7T. 7T are so Wound and ing,` voltages induced in tliese coils by 1'-, circuit current i: tlie track rails are additive.

The rear pick-up coils 6L 7L are included in a circuit DL, ivliicli passes :from the uppercoil 6L, tlirougli Wires 2O and Q1, contact 22-22 on tbe change-over switcli P, Wire 23, grid 12 of vacuum tube amplilier VL, iilament 13 el tlie saine amplifier, Wire 15, resistance 16, Wires 1,7 ande, tbe lower to the upper coil GL. Tlf-,e two coils 6L and 7L are so Wound and connected in this circuit that tbe voltages induced therein by currents flowing' tlirougli tlie track rails in multiple are additiveand, consequently, voltages are induced tliis circuit by tbe local currents supplied to tli track rails by the local transformers LS.

The track current amplifier VT is provided from a battery E, tlirougli Wire 2G, stator Winding 27 of an induction motor relay l?, wire i8, plate and iilamentoi tube VT, Wire 14., tilament 13 of tube VL, Wire 15, resistance 16, and common Wire G to battery E. The local current amplifier V L is Vprovided Witli a plate circuit wliicli passes from battery E, tlir-ougli Wire 26, stator Winding,` 29 olrelay ll, .Wire 30, primary 31 of trans'lormerl Wire plate and i'ilament o' tube VL, wire 15, r^- sistance 16, and common wire to'battery E. The rela-yl*1 controls a cab speed indicator K and also a magnet lil'. The magnet W in turn controls suitable governing mechanism Wliicli prevents full speed oi tlie train unless tlie magnet is enereif/Jed.` This mechanism forms no part of m f present intlie drawings. l/Vlien relay F is energ fed, tbe liigli speed indicator lamp SH is lignted, tbe circuit being from batt-ery J, through wires 36 and 37, contact 38 ot relay l?, Wires 89 and l0, liigli speed lamp SH, Wires 11,47 and 42, to battery At the ame time the magnet M is energized, tlie circuit be- `conta t 4:9, this circuit being Ylioin battery J, 7

ing from battery J, tliroue'b wires 35, 3G and 3T, contact 3S of' relay F, Wires 39` and 43, back contact Sil-31th of a relay ll, Wires e241 and 45, Winding of magnet M, and Wires 116, 4J and l2to battery el. To

lVlien relay F is cle-energized, the circuit 'or the liigli speed indicator lamp SH is open contact 38, and the circuit tor a low speed indicator lamp SL` is closed tlirongli Wires 35, 36 and 4:8, contact 49, wire 50, lauip SL and wires Ll and l2 to attery d'. The circuit vier magnet -is also open at Contact relay The relay ll is supplied 'u tli i tlie secondary 33 et' ti;ans"ormer ci, a rectii'ier Y prererably being,` inter-pose" bet tliis relay and tbe transform-ei' so tba relay may be el tlie direct current type. The parts are so noportioned tli fflien tlie train ce is in ste-am propulsion territory, as sboivni the dra ving, tbe value oit tbe current sup- 'plied'to relay l-l is sucli tbat tliebacl contact et tliis relay is closed and its trent contact is open. ik

inbeipore Le circuits i.

vliei tlie train occupies stx territory. l'; no means were Y lin'iitng tlie nt of curr-cnt sfoplied to 1 are provided to t ie pick-up cir DL, respectively, ra'liicb .liltcrs in tliese circuits by means over switch Wlien tlie propulsion territorv. YL'peii territory tbc ei'igineer whereupon tlie circuit BT besoin s contact lll-10a and this circuit tlien ,l f Y from Wire 8, tlircugli Wire filter FT uit commen wire to Wire 1Q'. i t

"lll cuit 'tor filter T is tlien tlircugli wire contact grid and filament et am Y l/l, filament 13 ot 'tube y, ance 16, and common vrire G te tl` Similarly, tlie circuit DL liereinbefcre becomes open Contact L f" FL is connected aereas wires i Ares 5S and t 'oi filter FL tlien .oli Wire 57, eiid and iilament o c) resistance 16 to wire l designed te train controllir fredii saturation clue to alueiimting pi'opilsien Current.

The lilte"l FT and FL, lioweveia meei'ielly reduce the eeieney ol the energy 'tra sion from "ehe mel; rails 'lo Mie ne ubes, amil lienee it 'is neeessmy more 5min Conti'olliiig em* Ze teils iii Elie electiic @repel in the steam propulsion i ample, *alle l ziek eiicui' c ii'i'eli lie t'l'eol; ti'ens'iomiei' 'ES ii sion ei'ritoi'y may be fl emo@ 'A Aoop Cuien supplied by wel in the stes n fzeii'itoiy will have z factor of selety wim respect le Lively heavy tram eeleroilme plies particular' eiieuit euifeet, because ie is ess i tifs-.ms occupy the seine tree werd tiieio slioeifl elim@ surfent to e.. si iieient ilege iev rein ifioiil reeel' eiliei'ile to ell'eeiziyely Winding i er is ofi euii'eo in lle t fo VL llue 'to alle entrance ein imi eleetiie pioggfilsie terrioel l 38 of ice-lf l freut CC-.iitee 34e-S? of L Contact V2 on Change-over and lle', winning' o'f i- ,1, 4 71 s is closed only f Copies eleel ie piopulsion len-.ii *i1-.9 and? eens' wally, ,if lil to epei'ate die Syieli elee'iil: ,repulsion 'tei'i'ioiy 'lie e i l 1 en -Quei eil will oe open e llie rein cannot prece, *alii* ugo this -ei'i'itoi'y.

M when deenei'gize Wil lo pi'oeeecl only e l5 miles per lloui:

S Sill@ Y peiidefl ef e As shown in Fig. l, a, low pass uli-e1 Q i ieiposed in the plate eiieuit foi emplier ii, l @nef but to 0`- y f" Y'e le lien/nonies of this euy: nl. is iiiflefel in le p' eezil treelwsy e 1 fg'ie jgifepulsiee teiiilf l liemiorie of ellis loplete Circuit 1., .g2 eeeizielei'ielif., oi the tube iself. This lizui'uoiiie current is almost entiiely le neefl 'into *elle prirgieify 3l el im@ "feiiee G, anclso is e'l'eetive io enel'- glze 'relay El. Any otl'ief liei'moniee el.: 'the leeel eui'rei'l'e will lileifse be oieed .into 'tmiisoiiiieibylie in'lpeelzuiee oi" lie rijgei Q and so will assist in like energi'net-lon 'if ielay H Y Y. 1 v f "n Wellen ine low @ses 2 may be used. Referring now to Fig. 2, die plete eiireuil foi lube VL isv provided Wili a lbranch efeuiil relay winding 29, which branch ii1- eludes Wire 26, e ltei l, :uid the piime'y Wiwliiig 3l of transferium' The {ilei' R may be tuned to freely Vpass Jelle ellircl lli-.ih momie of lille local eul'ent 'iequency o1' to pesa ell llemonies, but to offer e eemperw tively high I'eeetenee fo the umlemeiiel of this ieoiueney. lt follows that Wliie elle tube VL is en i'gizefl by local Current in slesiu'i pi'opulsien teiiitoi'y el: which time 'lieie ie lil'le oi' no current of?. the "chiro or other ligiefl .oie Vessels in lle plete eircuit el lnliis tube., relay lil will be fle-eneigized, but when the tube VL becomes 0V-^--ene1 gleed (lue Le the eiitlaliee of the eiii into electric @impulsion tei'i-ioiy? the consequent relatively leige emmene of the thin?. ef'alier harmonie of 'ihu leeel eui'iei freq ieeey will bev supplied to ti'enslfoini G :incl so will Cause energize'tioi of relay El.

Alliougll l lieve herein sl'iown iid clesciiiloecl only t'vo o-uis appare us emboclyng;` my ii yenlzio'e, il; is uecleisea al that wei-leus Changes encl moelilieeieiis may be made eliei'ein Wil P. lle scope of ap- .ims Wi lioui (lepel-Ling ionl the epi'iit and scope of my invention.

Having' -'Elms flee i'ibel my invention, what l claim is;

l. lu com steam propulsion territory and electric propulsion territory, means for Vsupplying train controlling current of a lower value to the rails in the steam propulsion territory, means :tor supplying train controlling current of a higher value to the rails in the electric Vpropulsion territory, train carried governing mechanism controlled by said-cur` rentavrequency selecting apparatus on the train, a member on the train for connecting said apparatus with said mechanism while the train is in the electric propulsion territory and for disconnecting the apparatus from the mechanism when the train is in the steam propulsion territory, and means for compelling operation of said member when the train passes from one said territory into the other territory.

2. In combination, a railway comprising steam propulsion territory, and electric propulsion territory, means for supplying train controlling current of a lower value to the rails in the steam propulsion territory, means `tor supplying train controlling current of a higher value to the rails in the electric propulsion territory, train carried governing mechanism controlled by said currents, frequency selecting apparatus on the train associated with said governing mechanism, a member for affecting the action ot' said selecting apparatus on said mechanism, and means Jfor compelling operation of said member when thetrain passes from one said territory into the other territory.

8. In combination, a railway comprising steam propulsion territory .and electric propulsion territory, means t'or supplying train controlling current of a lower value to the rails in the steam propulsion territory, means for supplying train controlling current ot a higher value to the rails in the electric propulsion territory, train carried governing mechanism controlled by said currents, frequency selecting apparatus on the train, a manually operable member on the train for connecting said apparatus with said mechanism while the train is in the electric propulsion territory and for disconnecting the apparatus from the mechanism when the train Vis in the steam propulsion territory, and means for preventing the train from proceeding at Jfull speed unless said member is operated to disconnect said apparatus 'from said mechanism when the train passes from steam propulsion territory into electric propulsion territory.

Il. In combinatioma railway comprising steam propulsion territory and electric propulsion territory, means ttor supplying train controlling current of a lower value to the rails in the steam propulsion territory, means for supplying train controlling current of a higher value to the rails in the electric propulsion territory, train carried governing mechanism controlled by said currents, trequency selecting apparatus on the train, a manually operable member on the tram for connecting said apparatus with said mechanism while the train is in the electric propulsion territory and for disconnecting the apparatus from the mechanism when the train is in the steam propulsion territory, and means for aiecting said governin mechanism unless said member .is operatet to disconnect said apparatus from said mechanism when the train passes from steam propulsion territory into electric propulsion territory.

5. In combination, a railway comprising a territory supplied with train controlling current of a lower value and a second territory supplied with train controlling current of a higher value, a train carried circuit, means on the train controlled by said currents for supplying energy to said circuit, governing mechanism on the train controlled by the energy in said circuit, apparatus on the tra-in acting to reduce the current in said circuit, a member tor atleeting the action ot said apparatus on said circuit, a transformer the primary ont which is included in said circuit, a relay supplied with energy from the secondary of said transformer, and means controlled by saidy relay for affecting said governing mechanism unless said member is operated when the train passes troni onek territoryinto the other.

6. In combination, a railway `comprising steam propulsion territory and electric propulsion territory, means for supplying train controlling current of a lower value to the rails in Vthe steam vkpropulsion territory, means for supplying train controlling current of a higher value to the rails in the electric propulsion territory, a train carried circuit, means on the train controlled by said rail currents for supplying energy to said circuit, governing, mechanism on the train controlled by the energy in said circuit, apparatus on the train acting to reduce the current in said circuit, a member for affecting the action of said apparatus on said circuit, a transformer the primary ot which is included in said circuit, a relay supplied with energy from the secondary of said transformer, a low pass filter associated with said circuit and said transformer for keeping propulsion current but not the harmonics of the propulsion current. away from said relay, and means controlled by said relay for atecting said governing mechanism unless said member is operated when the train passes `from steam propulsion territory into electric propulsion territory.

7. In combination, a railway comprising steam propulsion territory and electric propulsion territory, means for supplying train controlling current of a lower value to the rails in the steam propulsion territory, means for supplying` train controlling current of a higher value to the rails in the electric propulsion territory, train carried governing mechanism controlled by said currents, apparatus associated with said mechanism and operating to reduce the current receive@` by said mechanism, a manually operable member on the train 'tor connectimg said` apparatus with saicl mechanism While the train is in the electric propulsion territory and tor disconnecting the apparatus from the mechanisn'i -when the train is in the steam propulsion territory, and means responsive to said current oi" higher Value but not to said current of lower Value or compelling operation ot said member when the train passes irom ste-ain propulsion territory into electric propulsion territory.

8. ln combination a railway comprising steam propulsion territory and electric propulsion territory, means for supplying train the train7 a manually operatie ymember onv the train tor connecting` saicl apparatus with saicl mechanism While the train is in the electric propulsion territory and for dis connectingthe apparatus from the mecha nism When the train is in the steam propul Y sien territory, ancl means responsive to said current of higher value but not to said current of lower value 'for preventing the train trom proceeding` at ruil speed unless said member is operated to disconnect said apparatus trom said mechanism when the train passes from steam propulsion territory into electric propulsion territory.

ln testimony whereof l aiiix my signature.

SAMUEL M. LUCAS. 

